What is thorough cooking?

• A. Cooking only the outer surfaces.
• B. Cooking food and leaving it at room temperature.
• C. Cooking without any heat.
• D. Cooking food to a safe temperature right to the middle.

Answer: (D)

Thorough cooking means heating the food all the way through so every part, including the centre, reaches a safe temperature long enough to destroy harmful bacteria and parasites. It’s not enough to cook only the outside or to rely on how the food looks; bacteria can remain alive in the middle of thick or dense pieces. The reliable way to confirm thorough cooking is to use a food thermometer and check that the centre has reached the safe internal temperature for that food, ensuring it stays there long enough to ensure safety.